1999 Hobbitten (Rune T. Kidde)

The Hobbit

Release Date: 1999
Reader: Rune T. Kidde
Language: Danish
Translator: Ida Nyrup Ludvigsen
Organization: Børneradio
Copyright: ℗ 1998 CMC Records A/S
Barcode: 0724352220625
Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
Unabridged: Yes
Country: Denmark
Licenced: Yes
Formats: CD

Rune Torstein Kidde (1957–2013) was a prolific and beloved Danish multi-artist whose work spanned comics, literature, music, and radio. Often described as the spiritual heir to the legendary humourist Storm P., Kidde was a central figure in the Danish underground scene before becoming a household name for his “wicked” reworkings of classic fairy tales.

In 1990, at age 33, Kidde lost his eyesight due to complications from diabetes. Despite this, he famously refused to slow down, shifting his focus from drawing to writing, oral storytelling, and music, producing over 100 books and numerous albums during his life.

Rune T. Kidde’s production of The Hobbit (Danish: Hobbitten) is a remarkable contribution to Danish radio history. Before Kidde, high-fantasy in Denmark was typically presented as a formal, literal reading; Kidde transformed it into a modern, immersive “audio-cinema” experience including modern music. Produced for Danmarks Radio (DR) in 1998, it represents one of Kidde’s most ambitious projects following his loss of sight, showcasing his mastery of audio as a primary storytelling medium.

It was structured as a multi-part series aimed at both children and adults, originally aired on P3 (and later P1). Kidde served as the narrator and his voice was celebrated for its warmth, grit, and ability to shift between a playful tone and a deep, epic gravity. Having lost his sight by this point, Kidde focused intensely on the “soundscape.” The production was noted for its rich use of sound effects to build the world of Middle-earth without visual aids.

One of the most distinctive features of Kidde’s The Hobbit was its atmospheric and highly curated musical score. He collaborated with several prominent Nordic folk and electronic artists to create a “Scandi-Tolkien” sound:

  • The Tolkien Ensemble Provided the “classical” and melodic Middle-earth foundation.
  • Hedningarna Swedish-Finnish group that added a raw, primal, and “troll-like” folk sound.
  • Sorten Muld Danish folktronica band that added modern, moody atmospheric layers.
  • Kim Skovbye Harpist whose ethereal music often accompanied the Elven sequences.